Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK

REPORT TO: National Account Manager

LOCATION: Hybrid (2 days per week) commuting distance to Christchurch, Dorset

TRAVEL: Yes

Purpose of the role:

This is a great opportunity for a bright, driven and enthusiastic account executive who is looking for a career with excellent progression. We are looking for a proactive, commercially minded individual who can build lasting relationships, knows how to prioritise, learn quickly, and be open to a challenge – previous experience in a similar role with a passion for sales, FMCG or retail would be advantageous

Key Responsibilities:

• To drive sales with an allocated account base, maximising Solent’s profitability
• Daily contact with the account base
• Providing constant market information to assigned accounts
• Report and analysis of accounts’ progress using validated sales data
• To oversee and ensure accurate orders, invoicing and stock management on your account base
• Work with internal buying teams and external manufacturers to secure ranging and price negotiations
• Dealing with any account issues with your national account manager
• Fulfilment of POS
• Manage customer awareness of issues, which may affect delivery of goods and services
• Work with supply chain teams to ensure delivery dates are met for account intake plans and the ability to manage critical timelines
• Work with internal departments to ensure all areas of the account are being run effectively and projects are within timeline
• Update your team on problems or issues solved and actions taken on accounts
• Ability to travel in the UK and abroad
• Ability to take ownership of projects with tight deadlines and ensuring all stakeholders are completing task in full
• The ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and stakeholders is essential

About you:

• 1 Years experience in a National Account Exec role
• Analytical skills to review sales data, spot trends and SKU performance
• Ability and confidence in presenting in front of retailer buying teams
• Ability and confidence to run meetings internally and with suppliers and retailers
• Understanding of the retail environment and spotting opportunities to drive sales growth for retailers and Solent
• Ability to use Excel, PowerPoint, Word and databases
• Knowledge and ability to execute marketing activities within retail / corporate channels
• Professional approach and good communication skills
• The ability and desire to be an account manager of the future
• Enthusiastic and passionate about good performance
• Commercially robust and good listening skills
• Attention to detail
• Time management skills
• Interest or experience in foods and the snacking industry

What we offer:

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
• 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
• Hybrid working flexibility (at business discretion)
• Great learning and development and progression opportunities
• Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Generous Company Sick Pay
• Pension Scheme Contribution
• Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay